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Description
Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis, also known as purple Chinese houses or purple blue-eyed Mary, is an annual flowering plant native to California and Oregon. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family and is one of the 50 species of the Collinsia genus. This plant blooms in the spring and summer months, producing delicate purple-blue flowers that grow in clusters on the stem’s top. The leaves are opposite, ovate, and green and are approximately 3 cm long.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain| Eukarya|| Kingdom| Plantae|| Phylum| Tracheophyta|| Class| Magnoliopsida|| Order| Lamiales|| Family| Plantaginaceae|| Genus| Collinsia|| Species| Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis|
Appearance
Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis is an annual herb that can grow up to 30 cm tall. The stem is slender and hairy, with a square cross-section. The flowers are tubular and have a two-lipped corolla, with the upper lip divided into two lobes and the lower lip divided into three lobes. The color of the flowers ranges from deep purple to blue, with a white patch on the lower lip. The leaves are opposite, ovate, and green, with a slightly serrated margin. The fruits are small, dry capsules that contain small, round, and black seeds.
Care Guide
Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis is relatively easy to care for and maintain. Here are some tips to follow:- Water: This plant requires regular watering, especially during the growing season. Ensure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.- Fertilization: You can fertilize the plant with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.- Soil: Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Ensure that the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.- Sunlight: This plant prefers partial shade to full sun exposure.- Hardiness Zones: Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis can grow in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10.
Common Pests & Diseases
Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis is not prone to pests and diseases. However, it can occasionally suffer from powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot. You can prevent these diseases by:- Providing good air circulation around the plant.- Avoiding overhead watering.- Removing infected plant parts.- Using a fungicide if necessary.
Habitat
Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis is native to California and Oregon and can be found in meadows, grasslands, and open oak woodlands. It prefers moist soil and partial shade.
Question and Answer
Q: Is Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis poisonous?
A: No, this plant is not poisonous.
Q: Can I grow Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis indoors?
A: It is not recommended to grow this plant indoors as it requires partial shade to full sun exposure.
Q: How often should I water Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis?
A: You should water this plant regularly, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
Q: How can I propagate Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis?
A: You can propagate this plant by seed sowing in the spring or fall.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis:- Collinsia Bicolor: This plant is also known as Chinese houses and is native to California and Oregon. It has white and blue flowers.- Collinsia Grandiflora: This plant is also known as large-flowered blue-eyed Mary and is native to California and Oregon. It has white and purple flowers.- Collinsia Torreyi: This plant is also known as Torrey’s blue-eyed Mary and is native to California and Arizona. It has blue and purple flowers.
References
– “Collinsia Sparsiflora.” Calflora, www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=2146.- “Collinsia Sparsiflora.” USDA Plants Database, plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=cosps.- “Collinsia Sparsiflora Var. Arvensis.” Great Plant Picks, greatplantpicks.org/plantlists/view/1456.
